Level



Dec. 15, 1964 J. T. BRAME ETAL LEVEL Filed Dec. 12, 1962 NVENTORS Z g Z 2%E Jar/9 Y (Av/Wis 3,160,952 LEVEL James T. Brande and liames M. Brande, hoth of R9. Box 78, Corydon, Ky. Filed Dec. 12, 1962, Ser; No. 244,203 1 Claim. ((31. 33 -215) The present invention relates to a level for use by.

carpenters, mechanics, and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a level which gives a direct reading of the angle of inclination of an object on which the level is placed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an angle indicating level which is sturdy in construction, one simple in structure, one which may be read from either side or from the top, and one which is highly effective in action.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the level constructed according to the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a top plan View,

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2, With'portions of the cover and level broken away,

FIGURE 4 is a view taken on the line 44 of FIG- URE 1,

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail view in section of a portion of the level, and

FIGURE 6' is a view taken on'the URE 5.

Referring in detail to the drawing, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the level constructed according to the present invention comprises an elongated block it) having spaced sides 12 and 14, a top 16, and a bottom 18.

The mid-portion of the block is cutaway to provide a cylindrical or circular chamber 20 and the top 16 is providedwith an opening 22 connected in communication with the chamber 20.

The block ll) is also recessed on each of its sides and on the top to provide space for transparent covers 24 and 26 on the sides of the chamber 20 and a cover 28 covering the opening 22 in the top of the block 10. Preferably, the covers 24, 26, and 28, are fabricated of line s s of FIG- United States Patent 0 a transparent material such as glass, clear plastic, or the I like.

Scale indicia as at 30 in FIGURE 1 is inscribed on each of the covers 24 and 2d and the cover 28 is provided with scale indicia as at 32.

Within the chamber 20 is suspended a cylindrical weighted body 34 from each end of which projects a stub shaft 36 and 38, such shafts 36 and 38 being arranged eccentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body 34, the shafts 36 and 38 also being in axial alignment with each other.

The end portion of each of the shafts 36 and 38 projects loosely into a ring 40, 42, which is secured in an ice opening provided in the adjacent chamber cover 24 and 26, respectively. One of the rings 4-2 is shown in FIG- URE 5 with respect to the cover 26. The end portion of each of the shafts 36 and 33 is provided with a recess as at 46 with respect to the shaft 38 in FIGURES 5 and 6 and journaled in the recess 46 are rollers 48 and and 59 for rollably supporting the adjacent shaft in the ring 4d, 42.

The weighted body 34 carries four pointers or indicators 52, 54, 5'6, and 58. The pointers 52, 54, 56, and 58 are arranged at ninety degrees with respect to each other and the free end of the pointer 58 carries a cross bar 6% which cooperates with the indicia 32 on the top cover 28 to indicate the angle of inclination of the block 10 when placed upon a sloping object.

Each of the pointers or indicators also cooperate with the indicia 3th on the side cover to show the angle of inclination as most readily understood from FIGURE 1.

The block it may be fabricated of any material desired such as lightweight wood, aluminum or the like, as found practical. If manufactured of Wood, the block side coversZd and 265 may be secured to the block 10 by means of wood screws 44 and the cover 28 may be similarly secured to the block top 12.

In use, gravity will keep the body 34 lowermost with respect to its supporting shafts 36 and 38 and the pointers or indicators will cooperate with the indicia on the faces of the side covers 24- and 26 and the top cover 28 to indicate the angle of inclination of the level when placed upon a sloping object. 7

While only a-preferred form of the invention has been shown and described other forms are contemplated and numerous changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit thereof as set forth in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a level including an elongated block having spaced sides,a top, and a bottom, said block being provided with a chamber in the mid-portion thereof, and a transparent cover extending over each side of said chamber and secured to said block sides, there being an opening in the top of said block, another transparent cover extending over the opening in said block top and secured to said block top, scale indicia on each of said covers, a cylindrical weighted body disposed within said chamber, a shaft projecting from each of the end faces of said body, said shafts being axially aligned and eccentrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body, a bearing ring in each of said block side covers, each of said shafts having an end portion provided with a recess, a roller journaled in said recess in each shaft rollably supporting said shaft in said ring.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,141,315 6/15 Caughron 33-2151 1,146,794 7/15 Hopkinson 308-2 ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner. 

